Parker seventh at state golf after 1st round

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MADISON—Janesville Parker's girls golf team has been a fixture in the Division 1 state rankings all season.

Monday's opening-round of the WIAA State Tournament gave Parker a chance to prove it could play with the state's best. The Vikings didn't disappoint.

Led by an 84 from Taylor Wyss and an 85 from Micayla Richards, Parker is in seventh place in the 36-hole tournament at University Ridge. The Vikings finished with a 359 total on day one and are 45 shots behind front-running Hartland Arrowhead's impressive 18-hole total of 314. Big Eight powerhouses Middleton (323) and Verona (324) are nine and 10 shots back of Arrowhead, respectively.

Milton's CheyAnn Knudsen is tied for 15th in Division 1 after an opening-round of 82, while teammate Maddie McCue is tied for 22nd after an 84.

Verona's Jessica Reinecke, the defending D1 state champion, has a three-shot lead thanks to a sparkling 3-under-par 69 on Monday. Middleton's Loren Skibba is second after an even-par 72.

Parker coach Mary Ross was pleased with the way her team responded to the pressure and having to play in less-than-ideal conditions. Morning tee times were delayed a half hour due to frost.

“The wind really picked up as the day went on,” Ross said. “That made a few holes much longer. And the greens were fair but very tough.

“Plus, for our girls, being on this big stage for the first time, there were definitely some nerves. The girls were coming off an amazing two weeks (of golf), and with Homecoming last week, there was so much emotion coming in.”

Parker started on the back nine where Wyss' 42 led the way. The Vikings shot 186 on their front nine but were able to shave 13 shots off the back nine, including Richards' 4-over 40.

Parker's Kailey McDade, who shot 93, had the Vikings' only birdies on the day. The junior birdied the par-3 fifth and the par-5 ninth.

Senior Lindsey Ahrens rounded out the scoring for Parker with a 97.

“We're here and we made it and we're hoping to go a little lower tomorrow,” Ross said. “Each of the girls had some good shots, and that's something to build on for tomorrow.

Obviously the girls' hopes were a little higher as far as the team coming in, but I know they're awfully excited about being here. Being a part of this is what makes it so much fun.”

Reinecke had six birdies on her round and was nearly flawless despite playing with an impacted wisdom tooth. The junior said having her teammates on the course at the same time paid dividends.

“It's so much different playing here this year and so much more fun with our team here,” Reinecke said. “It gave me somebody to talk to instead of just being on my own.

“I know I played well today and I know I have to play well tomorrow to win because there are so many good golfers here.”